What's the deal with the Sycamores

by **Wufan** » January 14th, 2015, 9:34 pm

First off, congrats on a fantastic start to the MVC season! 5-0 and tied for first with Drake coming up this weekend. I know ISUb has some talent in the front court, but the non-con was abysmal. So, what caused the turn around?

Also, where do the Sycamore's finish this year? Wins are:

At ISUr
UE
MSU
At SIU
ISUr

Plenty of tough games still to come, but some easy ones as well.

**Sponsor**

by **GarH** » January 14th, 2015, 9:37 pm

They definitely are a head scratcher.

by **isumvc1** » January 14th, 2015, 9:50 pm

Probably just had to get adjusted to playing without Jake Odum, the guy led us for 4 years, so a pretty dramatic change there. Plus a LOT of newcomers, transfers, redshirt freshman playing.

I guess the non con was the adjustment timeframe, then something clicked once we started MVC play and they've meshed well now.

Our MVC only stats are unreal compared to the non conference stats. We were just awful in the non con in FG%, 3PFG%, FT%, and rebounding.

And Lansing hasn't shaved since the win @ Illinois State, so that must be it? LOL

by **COUTEAU** » January 14th, 2015, 10:35 pm

isumvc1 wrote:.....And Lansing hasn't shaved since the win @ Illinois State, so that must be it? .....

Is that true?
Is he sporting a Stanley Cup beard?

by **BCPanther** » January 15th, 2015, 8:03 am

I think they could legitimately be looking at 12-6 and sole possession of 3rd place. That'd be a nice run for them.

Luckily for Lansing, he should be able to shave next Wednesday night (@UNI)...

by **jturner38** » January 15th, 2015, 8:42 am

Us Sycamore fans are just as baffled as you are but at the same time we believed we werent as bad as we played in the non-conference. But I will be one of many to admitt I was starting to lose hope at one point either after the EIU or UMKC. EIU is having a the same type of success we are in the OVC. (Might not be a bad of a loss as it originally was although its never good to lose on your home court.) All of our new players except for our transfer who is sitting out this year never played division 1 ball until this season on top of losing Odum that's alot of adjusting for the 4 returning (Really 5 but Burnett out for the season was in a wreck) and for Lansing. Hoping he has grizzlie adams beard by the time the season is over with. (Feeling optimistic)

by **Cdizzle** » January 15th, 2015, 11:21 am

Is ISUb better without Jake Odum, now that they have adjusted to his departure?

Consider that Jake Odum was a good/greatish player, but that he and ISUb basically maintained the exact same level of play during his tenure.

Discuss.

by **jturner38** » January 15th, 2015, 11:56 am

Cdizzle wrote:Is ISUb better without Jake Odum, now that they have adjusted to his departure?

Consider that Jake Odum was a good/greatish player, but that he and ISUb basically maintained the exact same level of play during his tenure.

Discuss.

Hard to say. I would say no or at least not yet. With Odum, EVERYBODY in the league knew who was gonna get the ball and he 9 times out of 10 he made a play. Plus during his tenture Sycamores got some Signature wins Vanderbilt, Miami (FL), Ole Miss and etc.

by **uniftw** » January 15th, 2015, 11:58 am

Cdizzle wrote:Is ISUb better without Jake Odum, now that they have adjusted to his departure?

Consider that Jake Odum was a good/greatish player, but that he and ISUb basically maintained the exact same level of play during his tenure.

Discuss.

Valid question.

When a team has one great player that they lean on and then a bunch of role players there seems to be a spike early in the tenure of that but no development because they rely too much on that one player.

See Evansville with Colt and now DJ (though Mock is a force but under used).

by **acesfool** » January 15th, 2015, 12:45 pm

uniftw wrote:
Cdizzle wrote:Is ISUb better without Jake Odum, now that they have adjusted to his departure?

Consider that Jake Odum was a good/greatish player, but that he and ISUb basically maintained the exact same level of play during his tenure.

Discuss.

Valid question.

When a team has one great player that they lean on and then a bunch of role players there seems to be a spike early in the tenure of that but no development because they rely too much on that one player.

See Evansville with Colt and now DJ (though Mock is a force but under used).

I wouldn't consider Colt or DJ a great player. Theyare just the beneficiaries of an offens designed for one player. Odum made other players better. It's the other plaers that make Colt and DJ appear better than they really are.